Those who knew the four persons discovered brutally killed in La Brea on Tuesday night have expressed shock and sorrow over their murders.

69-year-old Michael Scott, a retired teacher, along with his tenant Abigail Chapman, 41, her 15-year-old daughter Olivia Chapman, and her friend Mickela Mason, 14, were found dead at their Kanhai Settlement, La Brea home.

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Speaking to LoopTT at the Forensic Science Centre in St James on Wednesday, one relative of Scott said, “We in shock. Something like this is not supposed to happen. It is not supposed to happen, especially not to people like that who going about their lives, being good citizens and helping everyone and in the church and thing. I know the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust, but we all just in shock…as people always say, it doesn’t happen to your family. It’s stuff you read about. But it happened here.”

Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Roodal Moonilal has sent his deepest condolences to Scott’s family and friends.

The MP, who was a student of Scott’s said, “I recall him well. He taught me history at San Fernando Government Secondary in the early 1980s. He was very stern no-nonsense teacher but with a sense of humour and always had the interest of students at heart. In my early days, he was part of a larger group of teachers who inspired me and pushed me to fulfil whatever potential I had. A tragedy indeed. I am in shock, it is the nature of our times, what an unfortunate way to leave us"

One relative of Abigail and Olivia Chapman told media, “Abigail was a hard-working woman. She was always on the go and willing to help and do anything. She was a teacher at the Southern Academy of the Seventh Day Adventist. She taught Spanish. She was at the Point Fortin SDA primary school and was transferred in September. We are in such shock right now. I don't know how to feel or what to think.”

Olivia Chapman, Abigail’s daughter was remembered as a devout Seven Day Adventist. She attended Point Fortin East Secondary School and was a swimmer for the school. A relative described her as a quiet child who preferred to spend her time in the church.

The younger Chapman’s friend and schoolmate Mickela Mason was described as a “full-spirited person” by a family member. The relative said Mason was a footballer, was interested in drumming and was part of the Police Youth Club.

The autopsy concluded that Scott and the older Chapman were bludgeoned to death, while the throats of the two teenaged girls had been slit.

Police meanwhile are said to be investigating a lead involving a man who reportedly held a knife to Abigail Chapman's throat last Wednesday. Relatives say the man was upset because his romantic advances towards the woman had been rejected. Relatives said Chapman files a report with the police the following day but one media report said the police have denied this.

More on this as information becomes available.

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